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1 of 5The 2014 Kia Forte will hit dealerships near the end of the first quarter of 2013.

Photo by Kia

2 of 5Power ranges from 148 to 173 hp in the 2014 Kia Forte.

Photo by Kia

3 of 5Buyers of the 2014 Kia Forte will get a choice of two four-cylinder engines.

Photo by Kia

4 of 5The 2014 Kia Forte gets restyled to look like the rest of the brand.

Photo by Kia

5 of 5The 2014 Kia Forte has optional ventilated seats.

Photo by Kia

The all-new 2014 Kia Forte debuted at the LA Auto Show in November, and it will hit dealerships in the first quarter of this year. Powertrains and trims are consolidated, the interior is updated and the small sedan will now feature something called FlexSteer, which adjusts the weight of the wheel from comfort to normal to sport.

Equipment on the second-generation sedan will rival that of almost any of the luxury brands, even in base trim. The entry-level LX model comes with steering-wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth, satellite radio, power windows, and powered and heated outside mirrors.

Stepping up to the EX trim adds Kia’s UVO infotainment system, keyless entry, a backup camera and cooling glovebox. Optional boxes to check include a sunroof, ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. Premium, Popular and Technology packages group similar options.

Engine choices go from a 2.0- and 2.4-liter to a 1.8- and 2.0-liter. Power is rated at 148 hp for the smaller engine and 173 hp for the bigger size. Torque is measured at 131 and 154 lb-ft respectively. A six-speed manual is standard on the LX trim, while the EX gets an automatic: like it or not.

The 2014 Forte has an all-new chassis that is lower, wider and longer than the outgoing model, riding on MacPherson struts in front and a torsion beam in the rear. Electric power steering replaces hydraulics, which we are skeptical about, but it does offer up an easier way to dial in weight, hence FlexSteer. We’ll be interested to try it out. The LX trim includes 15-inch wheels while the EX sports 16’s, 17-inch sport wheels optional.

The new Kia was designed at Kia’s American Design Center in Irvine, Calif., and it’s a dramatic departure from the outgoing model. The Forte now falls in line with the Rio, Optima and the big K9 sedan.

Pricing hasn’t been officially announced, but Kia told us the new Forte would start at less than $16,000 with well-equipped models going for $18k.